School feeding program halts as Garang University plans to reopen

BOR — Students face difficulties as Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology in Bor town of South Sudan’s Jonglei State has discontinued its school feeding program while preparing for reopening, according to students.

This follows a consensus reached during a joint meeting involving the University Deans’ Board, Senate members, Students’ Union executives, and the University Representatives Council (URC).

The meeting that took place last week provided students an opportunity to express their opinions on the anticipated reopening of the institution.

A statement from the Students’ Union stated that most students believed that resuming classes without the feeding program was the most viable option to prevent additional delays.

The Students’ Union has advised students to get ready to prepare their own meals when classes start again.

“We call on all students to realign their plans with the reality that catering for oneself is now an individual responsibility as we await the Academic Registrar to release the updated calendar,” the Union said in a statement extended to Sudans Post on Monday.

For his part, Gabriel Mayol, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Education, recognized that the lack of the feeding program would pose challenges but expressed support for the reopening.

“As the University reopens, there will be challenges, but staying out of class is costing students a lot. We appreciate the administration for accepting our call,” Mayol said.

He stated that students from other states would need to rely on their families for support.

“We know some of our colleagues will struggle to meet their needs, but we trust our parents will stand with us during this period.”

Prof. Dr. Abraham Matoc Dhal, the Vice Chancellor of Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology, confirmed that classes would resume on a date that will be announced soon.

“The classes were suspended because of the feeding issue, but students petitioned the University to reopen without it. They know how they will cope with the situation because the ask for it,” Matoc.